I. PRESIDENT VOICES COMMITMENT TO CONSERVATION

II. LAST BIG PUSH FOR H.R. 701 CO-SPONSORS

III. THREE WEEKS UNTIL WILDLIFE CALLS

I. President Clinton Shows Support for Long-term Conservation Funding in Speech, Budget

In his final State of the Union address, President Clinton gave conservation efforts a boost, stating:

"... as our communities grow, our commitment to conservation must continue to grow. Tonight, I propose creating a permanent conservation fund, to restore wildlife, protect coastlines, save natural treasures, from the California redwoods to the Florida Everglades.

"This Lands Legacy endowment would represent by far the most enduring investment in land preservation ever proposed in this House. I hope we can get together with all the people with different ideas and do this. This is a gift we should give to our children and our grandchildren for all time, across party lines. We can make an agreement to do this."

These statements signify that the President is aware of current conservation initiatives in Congress such as H.R. 701 (the Conservation and Reinvestment Act), and demonstrates his support for long term conservation funding efforts. We can be assured that the White House is committed to making long-term funding happen before the end of President Clinton's tenure.

The State of the Union paved the way for the release of the Administration's Fiscal Year 2001 budget. On Monday, Feb. 7th, Clinton proposed to Congress his funding plan for the coming year, and again showed his commitment for funding conservation efforts at the federal, state and local levels.

In his "Lands Legacy Initiative" the President has proposed spending $1.4 billion to help conserve America's land and coastal resources. The largest portion of this money, $521 million, would go to state, local, and tribal governments to help protect wildlife and local green spaces. Included in these funds is a new $100 million grant program to help states protect non-game wildlife such as song birds and turtles.

The White House's support for long term conservation measures in word and writing is a very positive step towards passing landmark legislation this year. President Clinton's vocalization of the necessity to fund conservation efforts re-affirms the notion that it is time to make long-term environmental protection a reality.

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II. H.R. 701 Co-sponsorship Rises, More Support Needed

We expect this week to be the last opportunity to get more House members to sign on to H.R. 701, the Conservation and Reinvestment Act (CARA). Last week many members demonstrated their support for this landmark conservation funding bill and the number of co-sponsors rose dramatically. We need as much support as possible for this bill in order to get the attention of the House leadership, so call your Representative and urge them to co-sponsor this landmark conservation bill. If you find that they have already signed on, let them know you care about conservation funding and thank them for their support.

In an effort to encourage co-sponsorship, last week NWF delivered a fact sheet highlighting the benefits of CARA and areas where the bill could be improved to each member of the U.S. House of Representatives. This fact sheet, as well as supporting materials, are now available on the fully redesigned conservation funding webpage, www.nwf.org/naturefunding.html. Some of these materials are available in hard copy, if you would like to request a copy please contact Josh Brann (ph: 202-797-6605, email: mailto:%20brann@nwf.org).

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III. Wildlife Calls Event Creeps Closer

The rally and festival for wildlife conservation awareness is now just three weeks away! But don't worry, there's still plenty of time to register and make hotel reservations. However, the sooner you are registered with us the better we'll be able to plan to make this event one great success.

"Wildlife Calls... Will You Answer?" is scheduled for Feb. 29th - Mar. 2nd, with the rally for wildlife on the Capitol steps planned for Mar. 1st at 1:30 PM. Quick and easy online registration is available at http://www.teaming.com/ (click on the blue banner with the heron). Also available at this website is logistical and travel information.

Make your voice heard in the fight for wildlife conservation! We need as many people as possible to help Congress get the message that we care about wildlife. Register now! See you there!

For more information or a hard copy of the registration form, contact Josh Brann or Jodi Applegate at NWF (ph: 202-797-6605 or 6840, email mailto:%20brann@nwf.org or mailto:%20applegate@nwf.org).

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